A terrific campground within Great Smoky Mountain National Park. A creek runs right through the…read moremiddle. Good walking access to several great trails. I love that there are quiet hours (10pm-6am), that generator use is even more restrictive (only daily 8-8), and if that isn't enough, there are tent-only sites available as well. So it's pretty well guaranteed to be peaceful. I think we hiked about 20 miles over the course of a couple of days and I know I spotted two types of mushrooms from our campsite that I hadn't seen on any of the other trails. Pick your day(s) and site number at recreation.gov. Easy access by car. Running water and flush toilets, but no showers. Good tent pads. Three handicapped-accessible ADA sites have 5 amp electrical service for use of medical equipment.

My husband and I really enjoyed our two night stay at Elkmont Campgrounds! We were in the L loop…read moreand we loved how peaceful it was. I definitely recommend researching or calling about the features of each loop before booking. After walking about a bit, we were even more pleased with our site in comparison to some of the others. The riverside campsites seem to go the fastest! If that's something that interest you, book early! All the staff we interacted with during our stay were extremely pleasant. The campgrounds were really safe and we have zero complaints. We'll definitely be back!

We had a pleasant 3 night stay in a Safari Tent, which offered a truly glamping experience w/ the…read moreTV & AC! A couple hard rains, but tent remained bone dry. Showers, bathrooms and pool were all clean and well kept. Grounds were quiet & nicely maintained. Jake was extremely friendly and helpful. It was a great stay. My only recommendation would be a community refrigerator.

We were just here for a week. It is such a little gem. The price is great. The grounds are very…read morewell cared for the restrooms are very nice. High water pressure. We had a big bear come through camp one day, which was really cool to see and the workers there are super nice people.

Wow. Pricey, but great experience. Should be some sweet memories for the kids - and us!!…read more Special shout-out to Chad (no idea about last name), who was taking tickets before we got on the lift. Super nice guy - professional and helpful (good tips) - friendly and welcoming. Sending us off with a God bless was a nice touch, although I could see that sounding funny to some folks, ha ha. (Dear God, please watch over us on this chair lift...) It was the kids' 1st time on a chair lift / ski lift, and it was a good one. Had to go open-air. No one freaked out. They even took selfies together on it. So sweet. Great views on the way down! Lift was rebuilt in... 2019 (?) after wildfires destroyed it, but they maintained a great old-school feel. Now! To the top. The SkyBridge. THE SKYBRIDGE. WOW. So so cool. Longest suspension bridge in North America, apparently. It was awesome, complete with grating and plexiglass at the middle. Amazing views. A little scary, sure, but so cool. Was stoked the kids wanted to walk across it multiple times. The trails up top are better than I expected. Not top tier Smokies trails, but better than expected. And more good views. Tulip Tower was cool, too. The overall SkyPark area was also beautifully landscaped. REALLY impressive - beautiful. Highly recommended.

The Gatlinburg SkyPark is a good experience worth buying tickets for. The ride up was great with…read morenice views of the town (the seats fit up to 3 people) and the bridge had good views of the mountains, and for the thrill seekers had a part that was transparent glass. At the other end of the bridge there is a drink and burger place and seats with a view. Though you might wonder why isn't this review a 5 star review. It's because the workers print out photos of you on the ride up and wait for you at the top asking you to buy them. They also take a photo of you before the ride, knocking the background out, putting it on a picture of the bridge and expecting 36 bucks for it. If you say no it goes in the trash which is a big waste. Now my family's face is shredded like iceberg lettuce and tossed into a dumpster somewhere in Gatlinburg (probably owned by Blake Shelton) The prices of the food were good, though just a notice the "frozen lemonade" is STRAWBERRY lemonade and is pre packaged.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park is bigger than we expected! So much to take in and we only had…read moreso much time. We did go to the visitor center and get a map. It was a good visitor center and had some cool merch and friendly rangers with good advice. We hiked a bit, saw many mushrooms, squirrels, birds and snakes. We did not see bears but we heard there are there. Highly recommend and can't hardly wait to check it out again with more time.

So incredibly beautiful. So many dang bears…read more Or so I've been told. Fortunately for me, a person who is very much afraid of bears and wants nothing to do with them, I did not see any bears during my visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But they're there! Lurking ... somewhere ... in the forest, I'm sure. I visited during the spring, when the bears were waking up from their long slumber, and I'm sure they were just waiting, with growling tummies, to eat someone. Because of the bears, I didn't travel too far away from the visitor center area of Newfound Gap. But there are trails and other things to see that are beautiful if you like hiking and whatnot. As for me, I was satisfied staying close to where there was more concrete and cars than nature. (I know! I'm kind of dumb sometimes.) Newfound Gap straddles both Tennessee and North Carolina, so you can be in two states at once -- literally, you can have one foot in Tennessee and the other in North Carolina! There's also a cool rock structure that you can climb to the top of called the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial, where you'll get great views of the mountains. They really do look smoky! They ain't lyin'. The Newfound Gap area of the Smoky Mountains also has a trailhead for the Appalachian Trail, plus restrooms. I saw backpackers who definitely looked like they had been on the the Appalachian Trail for a while. I've since learned that although this is not the largest national park, it's the most visited, and I believe it! There were quite a lot of people at the Newfound Gap area. That said, I visited a few other places around the park where there were zero people, so you might have to change locations, depending on how many people you want to share your park experience with.

Anakeesta is one of my favorite places to visit in Tennessee! The views are absolutely beautiful,…read moreand there's so much to do for the whole family. The mountain scenery, rides, attractions, and overall atmosphere make it a great place to spend the day. Everything feels like a fun adventure, especially when you take the chairlift up and enjoy the views of the Smoky Mountains. Definitely a place I would recommend visiting if you're in the Gatlinburg area. It's a great experience for both kids and adults!

Was stuck at the top of Anakeesta for 3 hours due to lightening. The management lacks any sort of…read moreevacuation plan. Another guest commented that they were continued to bring guests up on the gondola until there was a lightening strike some distance away. There was no clear communication to guests. They were taking people down in 3 small buses on a one-lane road. Beyond the lack of management and any sort of emergency plan to evacuate several hundred, if not more, people. The entire operation is a giant cash grab. In order to do most of the activities, an additional fee is required. As the storm moved in, they were still taking people's money. Definitely there are better options for families in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas that are more reasonable in costs and better value. Wanted to have a good time. Left disappointed. No plans to come back. Not how I expected to be treated as a paying customer. Young employees not trained to respond to the situation. Just disappointing the unsafe conditions they put every family that was that was at Anakeeesta in. Just unprepared and unacceptable. There are other situations that require emergency responses, and I highly doubt they are prepared to respond.

To say we were excited about our trip to Dollywood is an understatement. I am a single mom of four…read morewho doesn't often get to take vacations. I'm also a cancer patient who doesn't know how many vacations that she has left in this lifetime. So, when someone offered us a chance to take this trip, we were over the moon and jumped at the chance. So writing this review is quite painful. I've always heard that Dollywood employees are the best so I was expecting kindness and helpfulness, but I was mostly disappointed. I want to start this review by saying that I could not do what the employees at Dollywood do all day in the blistering heat. They have to deal with people all day long and people can be unpleasant on a good day and vicious on a bad day. I deal with people in my job and it can be difficult. I know and I sympathize. It started when I had to rent a mobility scooter. Trust me, I hated having to rent that blasted thing, but I had a cancer treatment two days before our visit and my treatment can zap the energy right out of me. So, I went to rent a scooter even though I was embarrassed to have to do so. The young lady behind the counter was unfriendly and unprofessional. I was surprised really by her complete lack of kindness. She never once even cracked a smile and her behavior at my questions was rude. I was also disappointed at the employees lack of help when you asked for directions. We only had a day in the park and we had some specific things that we wanted to accomplish. When asked for directions, the employees were short with me and seemed annoyed that we even asked. I ceased asking employees and began asking other park goers. They were kind and helpful. Then there was the candy store near the train depot. The gentleman behind the candy counter was amazing. He was friendly and encouraging. Just when I thought we wouldn't find any employees up to park standards, he showed up and with his sunny disposition really brought a bright spot to our day. Then, my hopes were instantly dissolved when we checked out at the register. The female employee at the register was utterly rude and blatantly disrespectful. I was shocked and wanted to match her energy, but I didn't want to set a bad example for my kids. Also, the kindly gentleman was right next to her and I just didn't want to cause a scene. Also, the employees who deal with people with disabilities on the rides just treated us like we were an imposition. That's just not the way you treat people who are already struggling. Most people who have a disability would do anything to be normal. I know I would have loved to have not known this information about the employees who help people with disabilities. I believe some sensitivity training is in order for all the employees who come in contact with people with disabilities. We already feel like a burden and we HATE it. There were some employees that went above and beyond which is the reason I didn't give a one star review. I've already spoken of the gentleman at the candy store. He needs a raise. There was the sweet young man in the jewelry booth by the Mystery Mine ride. He was an absolute gem and was so helpful. There was a sweet young lady at Miss Lillian's where we ate. Two of my kiddos have severe food allergies. It makes it difficult to find food that won't land us in the ER. This young lady went out of her way to make sure that our food wasn't contaminated by allergens and she even found chips for my son who couldn't have the other side dishes. Bravo to her!!! She deserves a gold star, a crown, and a wand. Also the tram conductors were fabulous They were funny, kind, and helpful. Whoever trained those guys needs to train EVERYONE in the park. The employees involved in the Dollywood Express were another standout. They were kind, hilarious, entertaining, and really did help to make the day memorable especially for my son who has a popular YouTube channel about trains. It wasn't all bad, but there were enough disappointments to prompt me to write this review. I really hated writing something negative. I absolutely adore Dolly Parton. She is one of my heroes. I feel terrible for saying anything negative about something associated with her. I'm hoping this review will encourage some additional training for employees who deal with people with disabilities. Those people sitting in the mobility scooters could be on their last vacation and you could make all the difference.

We've done Disney, we've done Universal, and Dollywood holds its own with both of them in ways that…read moresurprised us. The scale is different but the experience is just as memorable and in some ways more personal. The coaster lineup is legitimately impressive. Big Bear Mountain is the longest in the park and a great ride for the whole family. Lightning Rod is one of the fastest wooden coasters in the world. Wild Eagle gives you incredible views of the Smoky Mountains from the top. Dragonflier in Wildwood Grove is perfect if you have younger kids who want in on the fun. The new NightFlight Expedition that opened in 2026 is a unique indoor hybrid coaster and river raft ride that works in any weather, a great addition. Beyond the rides the park has real soul to it. Live Appalachian music playing throughout, craftspeople demonstrating woodworking and glassblowing, the Dolly Parton Experience museum, seasonal festivals and theater performances at the Back Porch Theater. You could skip the rides entirely and still have a full day. The cleanliness here is consistently remarked on and it's earned. Every corner of the park is well maintained and the staff are the friendliest we've encountered at any theme park anywhere. Go on a weekday if you can, weekends get packed. Buy tickets in advance. Wear comfortable shoes. Worth every mile of the drive from the Carolinas.

Goats on the Roof was one of the most fun laid back and unique stops on our trip! We originally…read moreplanned to ride the Alpine Coaster down the street, but the wait was over an hour, so we came here instead, and we're glad we did. The mountain coaster was a lot of fun, had a short wait, and was only about $15. My favorite part, though, was feeding the goats on the roof! You buy goat food inside the gift shop for about $3 a cup, ($1 refill) pour it into a bowl, then pedal a bike that carries the food up a conveyor to the rooftop. The goats are already waiting, and it's hilarious watching them compete for the food. It's a unique experience that's fun for both kids and adults. Definitely worth the stop!

I always see this place advertised on TikTok and happened to drive by it on our way back into town…read morefrom Jeep Invasion, so we decided to stop.We went around the back of the building where they have a bunch of goats that you can feed. The goats were super cute and definitely made the stop worth it. The coaster was pretty fast and at a couple points it honestly felt like you might fall off, but overall it was a lot of fun and definitely a fast ride. It's a little cheaper than some of the other coasters in town, but still a little pricey at about $17 a ticket after the 12.5% tax. The store is HUGE and just kept going and going. They have all kinds of different knickknacks and random stuff to look at. They also have rocking chairs where you can sit and chill or buy one. Overall, it was a fun place to stop and check out.

I visited Ober Mountain in early January of this year and spent 2 days enjoyng activities…read more The first day consisted of participating in the fun pass, which gave us a list of activites we could do on the mountain like going to the zoo, ice skating, ice bumper cars, scenic lifts, etc. As an adult, the pass felt a little underwhelming but I can imagine a kid enjoying their time with this pass. I would recommend that you find a groupon/deal to get it at a cheaper rate rather than the usual $50/ticket they offer it for because I genuinely do not think it is worth the $50. I would definitely NOT recommend the fun pass for adults, but would for children (at the discounted price). Our second day on the mountain, we went snowboarding and that was a very fun time for my group and I. Ober has snow machines, so it is not real snow and instead is icy, artificial snow. I can imagine during the colder season, it may be softer and covered much more. I went in early January for reference. The employees are very nice with helping you strap in boots and understanding how to strap into board as well. I decided to do a lesson, which I would recommend for anyone who has not snowboarded before. Although I enjoyed my time, I do agree that it is fairly pricy, considering the size of the mountain compared to other resorts I have seen. I understand the weather determines which lifts are avaliable but the "snow" was ice, no where near snow texture. I think a day of snowboarding would cost roughly $150+ here for day pass and gear rental. My downsides for Ober are the price, the fun pass, and the snow.

We visited Ober Mountain and had a really fun and memorable experience as a family. We had already…read morepurchased our Fun Pass tickets, and redeeming/printing them at the kiosks was quick and easy. One of the highlights was riding the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway up and down the mountain--it was truly an experience in itself with amazing views. Once at the top, there was plenty to do. The kids loved the carousel and rode it multiple times every time we passed by. We also enjoyed the ice bumper cars, the wildlife habitat, and visiting Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. One of the most magical moments of the day was when it started snowing during our SkyLift ride--it was absolutely beautiful and something we won't forget. It was definitely very cold, but the scenery made it completely worth it. Unfortunately, the mountain coasters were closed due to the rain turning into snow, but there were still plenty of other activities to enjoy. The only thing I wish we had gotten to do was ice skating--the line and wait time were just too long before we had to leave. Overall, it was a very fun experience that everyone in our family enjoyed. We would definitely visit again!We visited Ober Mountain and had a really fun and memorable experience as a family. We had already purchased our Adventure Pass tickets, and redeeming/printing them at the kiosks was quick and easy. One of the highlights was riding the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway up and down the mountain--it was truly an experience in itself with amazing views. Once at the top, there was plenty to do. The kids loved the carousel and rode it multiple times every time we passed by. We also enjoyed the ice bumper cars, the wildlife habitat, and visiting Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. One of the most magical moments of the day was when it started snowing during our SkyLift ride--it was absolutely beautiful and something we won't forget. It was definitely very cold, but the scenery made it completely worth it. Unfortunately, the mountain coasters were closed due to the rain turning into snow, but there were still plenty of other activities to enjoy. The only thing I wish we had gotten to do was ice skating--the line and wait time were just too long before we had to leave. Overall, it was a very fun experience that everyone in our family enjoyed. We would definitely visit again!

Rosie is the best guide on the river! Mikey and James are great too Super safe, lots of fun for…read moreall ages

i wanna say this was an amazing fun experiance. i came with my mother and son and had an amazing…read moretime. NATE and RYAN are seriously the coolest guys. so professional and nice. these 2 deserve a raise no matter how much they make. they made the experiance unforgetable and made us all feel safe as well. i would 1000% do this again and reccomend it to everyone. my son and I will be back. and i hope to see both ryan and nate again if possible. great job guys. you rock. -JT Travelers rest SC

While in Gatlinburg we needed a family activity to do, so I went on Groupon and found a deal for 4…read moretickets for $32. You have to enter through the Arcadia arcade in order to get into the tower. Once we gave our Groupon voucher to the worker she advised us that we can ride the tower again the same day as long as we brought back our receipt. We entered the elevator and took it all the way to the top. When we got to the top deck it was a nice view with breeze. It's a spacious deck with a 360 view and that's about it lol. Great for photos and videos. Overall this was a good family activity for cheap. Once we were done we did play in the arcade at the bottom which is huge. I feel for $32 for a family of 4 it was worth every penny and you got a second ride out of it.

First of all the arcade is amazing, there are so many things in this building, they have a…read morepizzeria, arcade, a space needle, and a bowling place. The only reason I'm writing this review is because of the manager Amanda, they are the best human being In Tennessee I swear, she was so kind and generous that they gave us a hand in the arcade game we played, and not only that the girl in the prize counter was amazing too. She had so much patience helping us to choose between so many prizes and I really love what she helped me pick out definitely a 10/10 family hangout place